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What’s the difference between a lead and a lag metric?
Think of it like this:
- A lag metric is the result. It tells you what happened.
- A lead metric is the activity. It tells you what you’re doing now that can shape the future.
In a Church Context:
Lag Metrics = What happened
These are the numbers you often report at the end of the month, quarter, or year. They measure outcomes like:
- How many people came to church (attendance)
- How much money was given (giving)
- How many people got baptized
- How many new people joined a group or team
The catch? You can’t change them once they’ve happened—they’re like looking in the rearview mirror.
Lead Metrics = What you’re doing
These are the actions that lead to results. They help you focus on what matters today:
- How many personal invites were made this week
- How many first-time guests got followed up with
- How many people were trained to lead a group
- How many people served or signed up to serve
- How many people engaged in prayer or discipleship conversations
The benefit? You can influence these now—they’re like looking through the windshield.
Why Both Matter:
- Lead metrics help you build momentum.
- Lag metrics help you see if the momentum is working.
Example:
| Church Goal | Lead Metric | Lag Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Reach more people | # of invites given out each week | Weekly attendance |
| Grow in discipleship | # of people in groups | Spiritual growth surveys |
| Engage more volunteers | # of people invited to serve this month | Total active volunteers |
| Increase generosity | # of giving conversations or trainings | Total giving for the year |
